Yes, you can grow avocados in Stuart. No, you cannot grow a Hass. Here is what actually works.
Pick a Florida cultivar Hass was bred for the dry Mediterranean climate of California. It struggles with Florida humidity and heat. Choose from Florida-bred cultivars: Choquette, Monroe, Simmonds, Day, Brogdon, Lula. All are larger and greener than a Hass, milder in flavor, and — this matters — they thrive here.
Drainage is everything Avocados drown. Full stop. If your soil holds water for more than a few hours after a rain, you are planting on a mound. We build mounds 2–3 feet high, 8–10 feet wide, out of a coarse mix of native sand, composted pine fines, and gravel. The tree goes on top.
Watering Deep and infrequent while establishing (once or twice a week, 5–10 gallons). Once rooted (year 3+), water only during real droughts. Overwatered avocados sulk, drop fruit, and eventually rot at the roots.
Feeding Organic granular every 3 months during the growing season, foliar minor-element spray every 4–6 weeks. Avocados are especially hungry for zinc and iron in our alkaline sandy soils.
Realistic timeline Grafted tree, planted correctly: first meaningful crop in year 3 or 4. Serious annual production by year 5 or 6. Peak by year 10. You are planting a 30-year tree.
What can go wrong Root rot from wet feet (fixable — better drainage). Laurel wilt disease (unfixable — source healthy trees and monitor). Wind damage on young trees (fixable — stake and shelter for the first two years).
Get the site right, pick the right cultivar, and an avocado tree in Stuart will feed your family for a generation.