I bought some starter plants of peppers, cukes, beans, basil and a tomato that I was goingto put out into the garden when the weather turned cold again. They are all in the house under lights and are getting rather tall. Is that ok? should I pinch them back? What is the rule of thumb about pinching stuff? Thanks
Anne

I cannot give you a rule of thumb (or should I say thumb and forefinger, : ), but I pinch the tomatoes and basil. I pinch shoots that grow in the crotches of tomato limbs, and also the flowers, a few days after transplanting or when moving from one pot inside to another. I pinch all basil flowers that show up.

You "pinch" a plant to promote bushier growth, so you would really want to "pinch" the basil, but the others, if they have their first true leaves or are beyond that, you may want to cut them back some to limit growth, but only if they are way beyond having only the Cotlydons, or "seed leaves". Removing suckers is known as pruning even if you pinch them off.

generally speaking, I wouldn't pinch them back. The tomato plants can simply be planted deeper as the hairs on the stem will become roots. I am told that cukes and beans grow "from the top" so pinching them can stunt their growth (or slow them down so you don't get the full yield).

As Kimm1 said, pinching Basil is fine as it promotes more leaf growth and a "bushier" plant.

If chance of frost has past, I'd go ahead and plant them. Just keep in mind you might have to "harden them off" since you had them in house.

Frost free is this week, I'll start taking them out for short visits. That sounds funny, lol. Thanks for the pinching advice, I'll leave them alone. I think its just cause they are still inside, I have the desire to fuss over them.
Anne