Basil Plant-help!

[bwr]

You can and should pinch back a basil plant so that it will send out side 
branches and thereby put its energy into vegetative production instead of 
going to seed: snip back just above a node (where the leaves and branches
come out). Since you say it's only 6" tall with no branches yet, wait 
until it's put out it's second tier of leaves (that may never happen if 
you keep cutting off the leaves as they get big, so leave it alone for a 
bit). Don't forget to give it plenty of sun and water, and an occasional
feeding. Eventually you'll be ready to dig out those pesto recipes! Hope 
this helps. B.