Propagating is completely new to me. I have an astilbe plant that I think is ready to propagate. I read it's best to do it after the third year of the plant being established. This is now the fourth. I tried to separate it today, but it just wasn't budging. I'm wondering if it's possible that the original plant died off during an ice storm a couple years ago, and this plant is a new one, therefore, not ready to be propagated yet?

A friend suggested soaking it in water before trying to separate it. Is that a good idea?

Just not sure how to get it apart or if I even should.