I snip mine back leaving three or four sets of leaves on each stem. Then I dry the stems, then separate the leaves for cooking and bundle the stems to toss in the fire on the grill to add extra flavor to whatever I am grilling.
Are you pinching the stems back a little past the first bloom? If you leave any blooms on the stem it will just grow more blooms. The blossoms aren't my problem this year. I planted 3 and one completely died and another is barely hanging on. This is my favorite herb to cook with and I really...