Now is the perfect time
Harvest sprigs before flowers form( or as they form) for best results. Cut
each stem with scissors/ knife leaving two leaves on each to develop new
shoots. You may harvest just the leaves, but harvesting the sprigs promotes
more new growth.
Pinch the flowers off and let them regrow.

Enjoy !
"FOW" wrote in message
news
I have some Italian ( green ) basil that I planted in a large pot.It is
now
looking ready to pick, starting to flower.
Can I just pick the top off and some large leaves? Or should I just pull
the
whole plant ?