Agronomic research is lacking for hops (Humulus lupulus), especially in North Dakota (ND) and the northern Great Plains, where demand has risen. This research was done to evaluate factors influencing hops establishment in ND. Factors for this research were hop cultivar, mulch type, and nitrogen source. Variables measured included weed suppression, soil temperature, soil moisture, hop growth, and yield. Nitrogen source did not affect hop growth. ‘Cascade’ outperformed ‘Mt. Hood’ and ‘Santiam’. Mulch type affected hop establishment, weed suppression, soil temperature, and soil moisture readings. Landscape fabric provided the greatest weed suppression and retained the most soil moisture, but also had the highest soil temperature and greatest soil temperature fluctuation throughout the day. Further research is needed to determine many other optimum growing practices for hops in the northern Great Plains. However, this research is the first field trial showing that hops can successfully be grown in ND.