I take a shovel full and hose it down. Wait a few minutes and start pulling hard. Wet roots pull apart way easier than dry ones.
My son put a clump in a bucket of water and forgot them. A few days later when I got to them, they were sad. I lost most of that clump - unless they surprise me next Spring. So hosing and waiting 3 minutes before one pulls them apart is better. If some break off unceremoniously, just plant the broken pieces. Sibs are tough.
