Pinching and prunig? Now or later???

Is it time to pinch and prune to get a bushier plant?

And how aggressive are we with this?

I suppose it depends on when we want our bloom to occur? Whether we want it on a high level or short and sweet?

I am thinking of perennial salvia, daisies, echinaceas, verbena bonarienses, parsley, basil?

I've got the book "Well-tended Perennial Garden", but I'm not sure about the timing for pinching and pruning. It seems like my plants were just seedlings a few days ago.

Any help would be appreciated... thanks. t.

Now. 2+ sets of leaves.(IMHO)

Maggie