Winter in North Carolina is almost over. I have an outdoor herb garden that I started last summer, and was wondering if I should cut back some of the plants so they will be smaller and/or less woody for this season?

I have sage, oregano, and thyme that have all done very well. However toward fall of last year they were starting to look a little "long in the tooth." The oregano was creeping into the grass, some of the leaves on the oregano were kinda mottled and unappetizing, the thyme was nearly knee-high, and the sage is now practically as big as the bushes. Okay maybe I exaggerated a little. Smile

How far back can I cut these guys?