This study was conducted to examine the seasonal pattern of N and P uptake by reeds (Phragmites australis) planted in newly constructed Shihwa tidal freshwater marshes. Reed and soil samples were collected from the wetland periodically from June 2000 to May 2002. Reed samples were analyzed for dry weight and content of N and P Soil organic matter content and salinity were also determined. Dry matter content of reed increased during the growing season but decreased in the fall and winter. However, this seasonal pattern was not so evident in the second year. In particular, throughout the measurement period, dry matter content of reed was lowest at a site showing high soil salinity. Regression analyses between dry matter content of reed and soil EC(1:5) suggested that dry matter content per unit square meter would decrease by 1.5 kg with every 1 dS m^-1 increase in soil EC(1:5). The amount of N and P assimilated by reed significantly decreased from the fall and was lowest in the spring. Net decrease in N content from reed during the fall and next spring was calculated as 34.5 and 24.6 g m^-2 in the first and second years, respectively, while the corresponding P loss was 4.0 and 1.8 g m^-2. Soil organic mailer content increased in the fall and winter, but decreased in the spring and summer. The results of this study suggested that the removal of N and P by reed would be considerable during the growing season but the nutrients taken up by reeds would return as detritus to the marshes in the fall and winter. Based on the results of the study, therefore, the harvest of the reed at the latter part of the growth would be recommended to prevent further water quality degradation. However, the long-term effects of reed harvest needs further study.