How to harvest (French) Tarragon?

[Ricardo]

In early spring I planted a couple of tarragon plants in a large pot and put it in an unheated greenhouse until they were established.
The plants are now outside, still in their pot, about 18" tall and looking quite bushy and healthy.
Question: How do I harvest the leaves for culinary use? I don't want to freeze/dry them (yet) I'd like to use them fresh but I'm unsure of the harvesting method.
Do I just pick off the leaves, leaving the central stem bare or cut a piece off the end of one of the the central stems?

[FionaH]

I just nip a piece if the stem off then chop the leaves

[valmarg]

You could make tarragon vinegar.

I grew some french tarragon simply because tarragon vinegar has disappeared off the supermarket and deli/health food shop shelves.

All I did was buy a bottle of white wine vinegar. Poured it into a jug. Cut some tarragon sprigs to fit in the bottle (about 7" long). Wash and dry the sprigs, slightly crush them, poke them into the bottle and fill up with the vinegar. Leave for a week or two before using, and vinegar being a preservative, it keeps.

It makes a lovely salad dressing.

valmarg